Wijnaldum scores stunner as Liverpool comfortably see off Huddersfield

Georgino Wijnaldum scored a stunning strike as Liverpool returned to winning ways by beating Huddersfield Town at home 3-0.

Friends Jurgen Klopp and David Wagner faced off for the first time at Anfield but it was a first-half to forget for the Reds boss with Dejan Lovren injured in the pre-match warmup and being replaced by Ragnar Klavan.

And with Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho missing through injury, the hosts created few chances and missed a controversial penalty with Mohamed Salah’s spot-kick saved and Jordan Henderson’s rebound kissing the post.

The second half was a different story with the hosts showing their clinical side with Daniel Sturridge scoring the opener after a mistake from Tommy Smith.

With the visitors showing little attacking threat, Roberto Firmino doubled the lead with a header from a corner before Wijnaldum made it 3-0 with a long-range pile-driver which went in off the bar.

The result sees Klopp’s side climb up to sixth place while the Terriers remain 11th.

Has Jurgen Klopp found the right combination in his defence? Dejan Lovren’s injury in the warm-up forced the Reds boss to bring in Klavan and switch to a back three. It definitely marked an improvement despite Simon Mignolet’s nervy display. Jordan Henderson did a better job at protecting the defence than he did against Tottenham last weekend but the Terriers offered little going forward and Klopp’s side will need a sterner test to see whether this is their first choice defence.

Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool): The midfielder was the driving force behind an improved second half performance. He was solid in his defensive duties in the first half and advanced further forward late on and capped off his display with a stunning strike.

LIVERPOOL: Mignolet 4, Gomez , Klaven 6, Moreno 5, Matip 7, Henderson 6, Wijnaldum 8, Milner 6, Salah 6, Firmino 8, Sturridge 7. Subs: Oxlade-Chamberlain 5, Can n/a, Solanke n/a

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN: Lössl 6, Smith 4, Hogg 5, Mooy 4, Löwe 5, van La Parra 5, Williams 5, Depoitre 4, Ince 5, Zanka 7, Schindler 6. Subs: Kachunga 6, Hadergjonaj 5, Mounie 5.

1’ - LATE CHANGE! Lovren appears to have injured himself in the warm-up and its Klaven who starts the game.

40’ -PENALTY MISS! Matip's header across goal falls to Sturridge who misses an open goal. But Smith has been penalised holding Firmino's shirt. Salah’s penalty is well saved by Lossl and the rebound from Henderson on the volley hits the left-hand post!

49’ -GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL! A ball forward is inadvertently flicked on by Löwe for Sturridge who coolly lobs the ball over the keeper for his second goal of the season.

58’ - GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL! From Milner’s corner, Firmino runs across Mooy and thunders his header into the net to make it 2-0.

62’ - WOODWORK! Salah hits the outside of the post on the turn with a swerving effort which the keeper does well to tip onto the woodwork.

75’ - GOAL FOR LIVERPOOL! Salah tees up Wijnaldum who lashes in a venomous drive from distance which goes in off the underside of the bar.

Huddersfield are winless in all competitions versus Liverpool in 11 matches, a run stretching back to 1960.

Liverpool have lost only one of their last 43 Premier League home games against newly-promoted sides, losing 1-2 vs Blackpool in October 2010 (W32 D9 L1) and are unbeaten in each of the last 19.